Hammam heaven.
After a hot, humid and sticky summer, there is probably nothing our skin needs more than a good scrub. So when Abu Dhabi Week heard that the Mylife spa is now offering a Moroccan bath treatment we decided to hot-foot it down there to sample it for ourselves.
So what’s the deal?
This luxurious men-only spa offers three types of treatments – a basic Moroccan bath, Moroccan bath with scrub and the Royal Moroccan bath. We opted for the all-singing, all-dancing Royal option. After changing into the provided underwear (brand new – the still-attached label testifies to this), we are led into the hammam, or steam room, which is full of a thick swirling mist, slightly scented with eucalyptus.
After relaxing for a few minutes to let our body become accustomed to the heat and allow our pores to open, Younis, our Moroccan therapist, returns with a tray full of exotic-looking pots. A quick shower is followed by the expert application of a layer of exfoliating black Moroccan mud. This is then gently rinsed off before Younis selects a tub of traditional herbal Moroccan soap and covers our body with it, as well as applying hair oil to what remains of our follicly-challenged scalp.
We let the soap work its magic for a few minutes and then we’re rinsed off again and lie down as Younis dons his black Kassa – a traditional hand-made exfoliating glove. Using a specific technique to remove dead skin, he starts from the chest and works his way around our body. Once the vigorous scrubbing is finished and we’ve been washed off, a cooling layer of mud is again applied, followed by yet more products – this time some Swiss body and facial scrub – and then a final shower.
By the time we leave, we are feeling strangely relaxed yet at the same time invigorated – our skin is glowing and feels super clean and smooth.
Why go?
We actually lost count of the amount of creams, scrubs and cleansers that were used, but if end results are anything to go by, when showering the next morning our skin felt as soft as a baby’s. Add this to the hugely pleasurable experience of the Moroccan bath itself and you’re on to a winner.
Why not?
If you’re a little precious about your tan then maybe a Moroccan bath isn’t for you – after all your dead skin has been scrubbed from your body, you emerge a couple of shades paler (but a lot cleaner).
What? Royal Moroccan Bath
Where? Mylife Men’s Health Club and Spa, ADCB Building, Al Muroor Street
Cost: AED 250
We say: Mylife’s take on a traditional Moroccan bath is deliciously relaxing and a real body treat – try it today and feel all your tension melt away
Contact: 02 447 1661
Jon Muller
